Gerda Henkel Foundation: Funding Initiative Patrimonies Grant

Gerda Henkel Foundation: Funding Initiative Patrimonies Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Gerda Henkel Foundation
Last Updated: December 01, 2025

Summary

The Gerda Henkel Foundation's Patrimonies funding initiative supports projects aimed at preserving historical cultural heritage, particularly in crisis regions. It encourages collaborative development with the Foundation, focusing on scientific research in history, archaeology, and art history. With a flexible approach, the initiative responds quickly to urgent needs while fostering long-term academic networks. The Foundation also promotes educational opportunities for young scholars and emphasizes the importance of local involvement and sustainable practices in funded projects.

Overview

NOTE: Prior enquiry must be made (please briefly describe the project by email).See Letter of Inquiry Deadline above. The administrative office will provide information on the relevant deadlines and documents to be submitted after reviewing the respective preliminary inquiry.See Full Proposal Deadline above. There are two decision-making rounds a year.There is no formal application procedure for the »Patrimonies« funding initiative. Projects are developed jointly with the Foundation. About Us The Gerda Henkel Foundation was established in June 1976 by Lisa Maskell in memory of her mother Gerda Henkel as an incorporated foundation under civil law, headquartered in Düsseldorf. The Gerda Henkel Foundation provides financial support for the historical humanities. Research projects that explore current issues in a larger historical context or consciously focus on topics of relevance to the present or the future receive support from programmes of a limited duration such as the the special programme “Forced Migration”, or the “Democracy” and “Lost Cities” funding programmes. As part of the Lisa Maskell Fellowship programme, the Foundation supports young scholars in the humanities in Africa. With its “Patrimonies” funding initiative, it promotes the preservation of the cultural heritage, specifically in regions experiencing crisis. In connection with funded projects, the Foundation also provides assistance for social support measures as part of complementary projects. The Gerda Henkel Foundation can by virtue of its statutes pursue its objectives both inside and outside Germany. Principles The Gerda Henkel Foundation is an incorporated foundation under civil law (§ 1 StiftG NW). The object of the Foundation is to promote science, primarily by supporting specific projects in the field of the humanities that have a specific specialist scope and are limited in time and the related publications, in particular: by supporting research projects by scholars inside and outside Germany on carefully defined themes in the humanities,by awarding scholarships (in particular for research and Ph.D. projects) to scholars inside and outside Germany,by undertaking and supporting measures on a scientific basis in the field of monument preservation as well as by undertaking and supporting all measures that are suited to further the object of the Foundation,by carrying out measures to enhance public awareness in the above-mentioned fields that support the Foundation’s objectives. Other objectives of the Foundation are: to promote assistance for persons subject to political, racial or religious persecution, refugees, expellees, war victims, surviving dependents of war, people injured by war, injured and disabled civilians as well as the victims of crimes.to promote an international mindset, tolerance and understanding among nations.to promote development assistance. Fields Supported Support is primarily provided for the historical humanities, in particular to support research projects in the following fields: ArchaeologyHistoryHistorical Islamic StudiesArt HistoryHistory of LawPrehistory and Early HistoryHistory of Science Funding Initiative Patrimonies What Can Be Supported Preservation, restoration, and research on endangered buildings and objectsDigitisation, conservation, documentation and accompanying research on material sources. Applications for digitization and cataloguing are only possible in connection with further measures to secure archives and collections. A clear digitization strategy based on international standards must be proven.Documentation and research on collections of oral sourcesTraining and further education are only supported in the context of specific preservation projects, emergency measures or for the purpose of forming academic networks, e.g.:Training and further education for young scientists, particularly in the field of archaeology, history, art history, historical construction research/monument preservationTraining and further education of specialists for measures accompanying research (e. g. restorers, curators, geo-physicians)Trips/workshops to prepare projects and collaborations and for training purposesSite management and building measures (in individual cases) Funding can only be provided for projects where there is scientific guidance (except in cases where only material resources are provided). Types of Funding Funding may include: Material aid, including costs for conservation and restoration workPersonnel costs, preferably for service contracts and scholarshipsGrants to support the costs for research and training residenciesTravel expenses The amounts for fees, allowances, and special service contracts are based on local conditions and need to be calculated by the research partner. Scholarships are also based on local conditions and are granted up to the limit of the Foundations regular scholarships rates. Where is the Support Provided? Crisis regionsCountries which do not have the capacity to preserve their own cultural heritage themselves (currently no funding is provided for cultural heritage in European countries)

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Geographical FocusThe programme is international in focus and is intended to be active first and foremost in crisis regions as well as in countries which do not have the capacity to preserve their own cultural heritage themselves. Moreover, the »Patrimonies« programme is intended to have a preventive function wherever possible. The Foundation aims to be active in those countries and regions where preservation measures, owing to threatening political and armed conflict, for instance, are urgently necessary or expected to be necessary in coming years.In all projects receiving funding, applications must be submitted from the target countries.In case of cooperation projects, several applicants from different countries can jointly submit an application. To ensure sustainable implementation of supported projects, those responsible in the target country (e.g. administrations, local communities) should be involved. Local (financial) contributions and the long-term assumption of responsibility for the respective cultural heritage are to be shown. This aims to ensure that all projects take into account local circumstances and concentrate on the specific requirements of the region. The funding provided should be brought to bear primarily in the regions in question.Applications which the Foundation has turned down cannot be resubmitted, even for a different funding initiative or in a revised version.Candidates can apply regardless of their nationality and place of work.

Ineligibility

The following shall not be funded (among others):Projects that focus exclusively on research work and seek only to result in academic publicationProjects that are not initiated and requested from the relevant regions initially describedPublications unrelated to previously funded projectsDatabase projects with no recognisable research approachDigitization and cataloguing projects without a strategy to preserve the original documentsTraining courses unrelated to specific cultural preservation projectsExclusively linguistic projects (research into threatened languages)Film projectsExhibitionsCollections of modern artPurchase of collections/librariesEstablishment of research institutesMeasures aimed exclusively at equipping/improving the infrastructure of museums or research institutesEvents unrelated to a funded projectSupport is not provided for:Final projects of bachelor and master studentsStudies under PhD levelPositions (temporary or permanent)Academic institutions by way of endowmentsFestschrifts or dictionariesAnnual meetings and academic anniversariesPublications which are not related to projects already being supported by the FoundationExcursionsConferences that are not initiated by the FoundationIndividual trips to attend scholarly conferences outside the scope of the projects receiving fundingExhibition projects which are not related to projects already supported by the FoundationIf not part of the thematic special funding programmes, support cannot be provided for projects and persons in the following fields:MedicineNatural and Engineering SciencesPsychologyLinguistics and Literature StudiesDrama or Film StudiesEconomicsFoundation does not cover overhead costs.Foundation does not cover college or tuition fees.